The stick and ball sports have their All-Star games but, it is usually more of a social event instead of a hard fought competition. NASCAR's version places the past season's best teams against each other

The stick-and-ball sports have their All-Star games but they are usually more a social event than a hard-fought competition. NASCAR's version places the past season's best teams against each other with the winner leaving with at least a million dollars in their pocket.

Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Earnhardt Sr. are but a few of the sports greats who have gone to victory lane in the Southern 500. Matt Kenseth can now add his name to that historic trophy afterMore >>

Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Sr. are but a few of the sports greats who have gone to victory lane in the Southern 500. Matt Kenseth can now add his name to that historic trophy after a late surge took him to the win Saturday night.More >>

Last week's white knuckle action at Talladega pitted driver against driver. This week it's a battle of another form as they try to defeat a "Track Too Tough to Tame" in Darlington, South Carolina. DarlingtonMore >>

Last week's white-knuckle action at Talladega pitted driver against driver. This week it's a battle of another form as they try to defeat a "Track Too Tough to Tame" in Darlington, SC.More >>

Talladega Speedway has long been known for its exciting racing action. However, the fans at Sunday's Aaron's 499 Cup Series event experienced some additional excitement in another form as a large thunderstormMore >>

Talladega Speedway has long been known for its exciting racing action. However, the fans at Sunday's Aaron's 499 Cup Series event experienced some additional excitement in another form as a large thunderstorm with one-eighth-inch hail that halted the event with 63 laps to go.More >>

Richmond International Raceway has always been known as a place for action but Saturday night's Toyota Owner's 400 had many Cup Series drivers shaking their heads. The first portion of the event belongedMore >>

Richmond International Raceway has always been known as a place for action, but Saturday night's Toyota Owner's 400 had many Cup Series drivers shaking their heads.More >>

HOMESTEAD, FL (RNN) - -

Emotions are a big part of any championship game but last Sunday's Ford EcoBoost 400 in Homestead had more than its fair share.

As Jeff Gordon crossed the finish line for his first victory at the 1.5 mile oval, the excitement of the win was accompanied by relief as he held off rival Clint Bowyer in the closing laps. Only a week away from their bitter confrontation, Gordon was concerned of retaliation if Bowyer could catch him.

"There was one restart where I had Joey, Aric, and Clint right there surrounding me," said the race winner on his concerns about racing those that still have issues with him. "You know, that thing is going to work itself out some way through racing."

Gordon offered an olive branch of peace to his fellow drivers and hoped that they will accept his apology.

"I felt terrible about how I went about it [the accident] and still regret the way I went about it but you know what? I can't take it back," said Gordon. "What we can do is look forward and race guys hard and clean."

Bowyer was not ready to forgive and was really hoping to catch Gordon in those closing laps.

"I just really wanted to catch the 24," commented Bowyer on his later race charge. "That was the only thing that went through my mind at the end."

As Gordon and Bowyer coped with their thoughts, Brad Keselowski became the 2012 Cup Series Champion in only his third full year on the senior circuit.

"I just feel so fortunate to be where I'm at right now in life and with racing," said Keselowski on his landmark win. "To have guys like this around me because you're a product of who you surround yourself by, and I'm surrounded by the best."

Keselowski already had one NASCAR championship to his credit on the Nationwide Series but team owner Roger Penske has spent a couple of decades searching for that coveted title.

"I feel amazing that I've been able to achieve this in racing," commented Penske on his first NASCAR title. "I've lauded the people that have been on that stage for so many years and to be able to join this elite group and say that I'm a champion in NASCAR means a lot."

With 15 Indy 500 wins in his resume, it was that elusive NASCAR championship that kept Penske up at night. However, that emotion is now behind him.

"We won the Indy 500, 15 times and we're a big deal," said the man known as "The Captain" of his accomplishments as a team owner. "But I'll tell you one thing. Until you get here and you compete at the top and win it, you really know what's happened, and I think I just woke up here tonight, and it's a big thrill."

There were other emotions throughout the garage area as drivers were moving to new teams for next season and manufacturers were leaving the sport for a short time. I can't possibly tell all their stories but it was an emotional way to close the 2012 season.

Keselowski will truly make a great ambassador for NASCAR as Champion but I imagine it will be a long time before you that smile will come off of Roger Penske's face.

The stick and ball sports have their All-Star games but, it is usually more of a social event instead of a hard fought competition. NASCAR's version places the past season's best teams against each other

The stick-and-ball sports have their All-Star games but they are usually more a social event than a hard-fought competition. NASCAR's version places the past season's best teams against each other with the winner leaving with at least a million dollars in their pocket.

Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Earnhardt Sr. are but a few of the sports greats who have gone to victory lane in the Southern 500. Matt Kenseth can now add his name to that historic trophy afterMore >>

Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Sr. are but a few of the sports greats who have gone to victory lane in the Southern 500. Matt Kenseth can now add his name to that historic trophy after a late surge took him to the win Saturday night.More >>

Last week's white knuckle action at Talladega pitted driver against driver. This week it's a battle of another form as they try to defeat a "Track Too Tough to Tame" in Darlington, South Carolina. DarlingtonMore >>

Last week's white-knuckle action at Talladega pitted driver against driver. This week it's a battle of another form as they try to defeat a "Track Too Tough to Tame" in Darlington, SC.More >>

Talladega Speedway has long been known for its exciting racing action. However, the fans at Sunday's Aaron's 499 Cup Series event experienced some additional excitement in another form as a large thunderstormMore >>

Talladega Speedway has long been known for its exciting racing action. However, the fans at Sunday's Aaron's 499 Cup Series event experienced some additional excitement in another form as a large thunderstorm with one-eighth-inch hail that halted the event with 63 laps to go.More >>

Richmond International Raceway has always been known as a place for action but Saturday night's Toyota Owner's 400 had many Cup Series drivers shaking their heads. The first portion of the event belongedMore >>

Richmond International Raceway has always been known as a place for action, but Saturday night's Toyota Owner's 400 had many Cup Series drivers shaking their heads.More >>

Growing up, Clint Bowyer cut his teeth driving the short track circuit of the Midwest. Now that he is a big time Sprint Cup driver, he is hoping that his short track experience puts him back in the winner'sMore >>

Growing up, Clint Bowyer cut his teeth driving the short track circuit of the Midwest. Now that he is a big time Sprint Cup driver, he is hoping that his short track experience puts him back in the winner's circle this week in Richmond.More >>

When Matt Kenseth made the unprecedented move from his long time home at Roush/Fenway Racing to Joe Gibbs Racing, many expected him to remain a championship threat; just not this soon. Capturing his secondMore >>

When Matt Kenseth made the unprecedented move from his longtime home at Roush/Fenway Racing to Joe Gibbs Racing, many expected him to remain a championship threat; just not this soon.More >>

Richard Petty once told me that bad luck comes in cycles. He said that you just continue to work hard and one day it will turn back around your way. That seems to be the case for the resurgent Kyle BuschMore >>

Richard Petty once told me that bad luck comes in cycles. He said that you just continue to work hard and one day it will turn back around your way. That seems to be the case for the resurgent Kyle Busch as he heads to Kansas this weekend.More >>

The two best cars battled it out under the lights at Texas Motorspeedway Saturday night with Martin Truex falling short in the final laps to Kyle Busch for the win. The win completed a weekend sweep forMore >>

The two best cars battled it out under the lights at Texas Motorspeedway Saturday night, with Martin Truex falling short in the final laps to Kyle Busch for the win.More >>